Grantmaking at Winstonville Community Foundation
At the Winstonville Community Foundation, we are committed to fostering sustainable change in our community through targeted, impactful grantmaking. Although we are still in the process of developing our grant programs, we envision supporting initiatives that align with our core focus areas of Economic Development, Education & Technology, and Community Well-being.
Our grantmaking will focus on projects that directly benefit Winstonville and the surrounding region, uplifting individuals and organizations that are dedicated to driving positive change. Below, you will find an outline of our planned grant programs, along with the eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and a tentative grant calendar.
Outline of Future Grant Programs
Our future grant programs will be designed to support initiatives in three main focus areas:
- Economic Development Grants: These grants will support projects that encourage local entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the Winstonville area. Examples of eligible projects may include business incubators, vocational training, and small business development programs.
- Education & Technology Grants: Grants in this category will focus on advancing access to education and technology for local youth and adults. Projects may include digital literacy programs, scholarships for higher education, and funding for educational tools and resources to enhance local schools.
- Community Well-being Grants: These grants will support projects that aim to improve the overall well-being of the community, such as health initiatives, mental health programs, and efforts to improve public spaces or provide services for vulnerable populations.
Eligibility Criteria for Grants
To be eligible for a Winstonville Community Foundation grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Location: The project must directly benefit Winstonville, Mississippi, or the surrounding Bolivar County region.
- Nonprofit Status: Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal sponsor that is a registered nonprofit. In certain cases, we may consider grants to government entities, schools, or other qualifying organizations.
- Alignment with Focus Areas: Projects must align with one or more of the foundation’s core focus areas: Economic Development, Education & Technology, or Community Well-being.
- Demonstrated Impact: Applicants must show a clear plan for how the grant will create measurable, positive outcomes for the Winstonville community.
- Sustainability: Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate long-term sustainability and the potential for ongoing impact beyond the initial grant period.
Grant Application Guidelines
We aim to make our grant application process as accessible and straightforward as possible. While we are still developing our formal guidelines, the process will generally follow these steps:
- Pre-Application Inquiry: Organizations will be invited to submit a brief letter of inquiry (LOI) to determine eligibility and alignment with our funding priorities.
- Full Application: Selected applicants will be asked to submit a full proposal, which will include a detailed project description, a budget, and a plan for evaluating the project’s success.
- Review Process: All applications will be reviewed by the Winstonville Community Foundation’s Grant Review Committee. This process may include interviews, site visits, or requests for additional documentation.
- Grant Award: Successful applicants will receive a formal grant agreement outlining the terms of the grant, including reporting and accountability measures.
- Reporting: Grant recipients will be required to provide periodic reports on the progress of their project, including outcomes, impact, and financial accountability.
Grant Calendar and Deadlines
We anticipate offering two grant cycles per year, with deadlines for both spring and fall applications. Below is a tentative schedule for our future grantmaking activities:
- Spring Cycle:
- Letter of Inquiry Deadline: March 1
- Full Application Deadline: April 15
- Award Notifications: June 1
- Fall Cycle:
- Letter of Inquiry Deadline: September 1
- Full Application Deadline: October 15
- Award Notifications: December 1
Please note that these dates are tentative and subject to change as we finalize our grant programs.
Stay Connected
As we develop our grant programs, we encourage organizations and community leaders to stay connected with us. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on grant opportunities, application guidelines, and upcoming deadlines.